Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction & Picks - NBA
USA - NBA
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by Erik Gibbs | in NBA Picks
The New Orleans Pelicans will be desperate to notch their first win of the season when they visit the defending champion Denver Nuggets tonight at Ball Arena. New Orleans' 0–3 start has been defined by defensive lapses and the absence of key players, most notably Zion Williamson. Even with solid offensive output—averaging 119.0 points per game and shooting 44.6% from the floor—the Pelicans have struggled to contain opposing offenses, giving up an alarming 126.7 points per contest. That gap has effectively erased any advantages they've had in scoring depth or transition play. Without Williamson dominating inside, New Orleans has also lacked physical presence on the glass, collecting just 46.0 rebounds per game.
On the other side, the Nuggets are trending upward after shaking off a season-opening loss to Golden State with back-to-back road wins. Denver's momentum is largely fueled by Jamal Murray, who exploded for 43 points in a thrilling win over Minnesota. Alongside him, Nikola Jokic has once again been the steady force orchestrating Denver's offense, averaging a near triple-double while anchoring their rebounding efforts.
The Nuggets' offensive efficiency has been elite early in the season—they're shooting over 52% from the field and averaging more than 10 offensive rebounds per game at home. That combination of shot-making and hustle makes them a tough matchup for a Pelicans team struggling to defend in transition and protect the rim.
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Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Form
Table
| Teams | % | P | W | L | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5
|
0.659 | 82 | 54 | 28 | 12 |
|
23
|
0.317 | 82 | 26 | 56 |
Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Pelicans Latest Matches
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
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3/6 (50%)
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Denver Nuggets against New Orleans Pelicans : Head to Head (H2H)
67 %
33 %
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Players list
C. Braun
J. Murray
C. Johnson
A. Gordon
J. Fears
T. Murphy III
Z. Williamson
H. Jones
Substitutes
J. Strawther
J. Pickett
S. Jones
P. Watson
H. Tyson
M. Peavy
J. Hawkins
J. Alvarado
J. Poole
S. Bey
Denver Nuggets - New Orleans Pelicans Key Points
- The Pels are 23-1 in their last 24 road games vs. teams with a winning record
- The Pels are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games as underdogs
- The Nuggets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games at Ball Arena vs. teams with a losing record
- The Over is 7-1 in the Nuggets’ last 8 night games vs. the Pels after a road win
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Our Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
The Pelicans' injury situation doesn't help matters. Dejounte Murray remains sidelined, and Williamson is officially listed as questionable, which creates uncertainty for a team already fighting to find its rhythm. Head coach Willie Green has emphasized the need for better defensive effort and second-chance control, but so far, those adjustments haven't translated on the court. The team's offensive rhythm, led by Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum, has kept them competitive early in games, but their defense consistently breaks down late, leading to big deficits that balloon quickly.
Denver's only minor concern is the status of Cameron Johnson, who's questionable with shoulder soreness. However, the Nuggets' depth has proven more than capable of filling gaps, with role players like Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon stepping up on both ends.
Ultimately, this looks like another uphill battle for New Orleans. Even if Williamson returns, he'll be facing one of the most disciplined and well-rounded teams in the league. Denver's superior ball movement, rebounding advantage, and interior strength make them the clear favorite to extend their winning streak to three games. Unless the Pelicans can find a way to contain Jokic and limit second-chance points, the Nuggets should cruise to another comfortable victory at home. Our prediction for Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans: Under 225.5 points.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
